Korean War veteran finally receives his medals

The Korean War armistice was signed nearly 54 years ago, but it wasn't until now that local Korean War veteran Ed Gerace received eight medals for his service.

Stefanie Fischer

The Korean War armistice was signed nearly 54 years ago, but it wasn't until now that local Korean War veteran Ed Gerace received eight medals for his service.

“Uncle Sam needed me,” said Gerace of Utica, N.Y.

Gerace enlisted in the United States Army at 19 and became part of the 32nd Regiment of the 17th Infantry Division. After active service in Korea, Gerace was recognized “For Heroic or Meritorious Achievement of Service, not involving Aerial flight, in connection with operations against an Opposing Armed Force.”

This is the U.S.'s description of men who received the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star. For the display of good merit, good conduct, dedication to duty, and service in the Korean War, Gerace also received the Combat Infantryman Badge, Conspicuous Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Medal of Merit, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Korea presidential Unit Citation, and the United Nation Service Medal.

But years would pass before Gerace would even ask for his medals.

In January 2007, Gerace was at the Oneida County Veterans Service Agency when he decided he wanted the medals to show his family, agency director Joe Perrone said Thursday.

“I said, 'Why don't we send away for them,' and that's just what we ended up doing,” Perrone said.

Perrone sent the paperwork to the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Mo., and the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, he said.

Gerace had remained in the Army for two years, until 1954, after which time he became a supervisor at Griffiss Air Force Base for the next 38 years. After signing up for service at the base, Gerace married and had two children.

He never thought of the Korean War as a lost cause.

“We were in it to win,” he said.

Perrone said many veterans are concerned about coming home after their war service, and many don't immediately request their medals. But years later, it is common for veterans to ask for these reminders of their patriotic legacy, he said.

“Veterans really don't talk about their service to their children or grandchildren, so they usually want to leave these medals for their children,” Perrone said. “And they've earned it.”

Gerace would recommend joining the service to anyone.

“Nineteen years old, you're ready to go … you are a better person for being in it, you learn to respect higher authorities,” he said of his army experience.

Gerace experienced the Cold War and the Korean War in a way that most do not.

“It was different than the John Wayne movie,” he said. “You're looking at reality rather than fiction.”